The sermon by Don Bell on Mark 15:22-36 focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, exploring the doctrines of atonement, human depravity, and the profound depths of Christ’s suffering. Key points include the portrayal of Christ's crucifixion as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, illustrating the darkness of human sin, and underscoring God's holiness and justice in dealing with sin. Specifically, Bell references Psalm 22, where Christ’s cry of abandonment reflects both the emotional intensity of His isolation and the divine necessity of atonement. The sermon emphasizes the significance of Christ as the ultimate substitute, whose sacrificial death satisfies God's justice and brackets the assurance of salvation for believers. This highlights the central Reformed doctrine of substitutionary atonement and the unmerited grace bestowed on humanity.
Key Quotes
“Our Lord's suffering on the cross reveals the absolute holiness and justice of God Almighty.”
“You'd have wagged your head at him. You would have mocked him. I know I would have.”
“Christ fulfilled the law for us and answered every demand it made.”
“He was forsaken of God, so we will never be forsaken.”
The crucifixion of Jesus is depicted in the Gospels, emphasizing His suffering, sacrifice, and fulfillment of prophecy.
The crucifixion of Jesus is a central event in the New Testament that fulfills the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Mark 15:22-36 describes the humiliation and pain endured by Jesus as He is mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified. The significance of His crucifixion is tied to the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, takes on the sins of humanity, acting as a sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). This fulfillment of prophecy, alongside the intense suffering He endured, underscores the depths of His love and the justice of God in punishing sin while providing redemption for sinners.
Mark 15:22-36, 1 Peter 2:24
Christ's sacrifice was sufficient because it fulfilled the law and satisfied God's justice.
The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is confirmed in the New Testament, where it is revealed that His death was a perfect and final atonement for sin. In Mark 15, the utterances of Jesus from the cross highlight the depth of His suffering and the fulfillment of divine justice. Christ's death was not only a sacrifice but also a satisfaction of God's holy justice, as He bore our sins and was made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). After His resurrection, God’s validation of Jesus as the sufficient Savior was demonstrated when He raised Him from the dead (Romans 4:25), affirming that His sacrifice adequately dealt with the sin of those who believe in Him.
Galatians 3:13, Romans 4:25
Jesus being forsaken by God illustrates the severity of His sacrifice and the depth of our sin.
The moment when Jesus cried out, 'My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' (Mark 15:34) emphasizes not only His profound suffering but also the reality of the separation from God that sin causes. This abandonment signifies the weight of the world's sin laid upon Him, indicating that He bore the full penalty for sin on our behalf. God's holy nature requires that sin must be judged, which is evident in the forsaking of Christ during those hours of darkness. The importance of this event invites believers to understand the depths of His love and the high cost of our redemption, allowing us to recognize our need for a Savior and the profound grace extended through Him.
Mark 15:34
Christ fulfilled the law by living a sinless life and satisfying its requirements completely.
When the New Testament refers to Christ fulfilling the law, it highlights His complete obedience to God's commandments throughout His life, demonstrating perfection that humanity could not achieve. The law demanded holiness and justice, and Christ, being sinless, met every requirement of the law (Romans 10:4). During His crucifixion, He upheld the law by becoming a curse for us, taking the penalty meant for sinners (Galatians 3:13). Understanding that Christ fulfilled the law reassures believers that their acceptance before God is based on His righteousness, not on their merit, and it underscores the grace that is given freely to those who put their trust in Him.
Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:13
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